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How to Maintain Your CB Radio for Long-Term Use

How to Maintain Your CB Radio for Long-Term Use

Overall, CB radios are sturdy machines. They have to be to withstand their constant use by long-haul drivers. Or the continued bumps from off-roading. Without their strong frames and stainless-steel components, operators would go through a number of transceivers over their lifetime.

Vigilant Maintenance

But these CB radio units are far from invulnerable. Though they’re built to last, lack of care shortens the radio’s life, no matter the manufacturer or model. It may not seem like you have the time to take care of all the components. Nevertheless, even a few minutes every couple of weeks can increase the CB’s lifetime.

Here are a few of the simple tasks to consider.

The Radio

First … Do not use water to clean any part of the transceiver. It sounds obvious, but people still do it. Water and electricity simply don’t mix, regardless if the components are shielded.

Static-free wipes are recommended to remove dust and dirt from the radio’s surface. Compressed air can also be used to blow dust from control knobs, heat sink, and other sensitive areas. Just be careful not to overdo it, especially near electronics.

The Antenna

Antennas and their components are designed from materials that are non-corrosive. Thus, you shouldn’t have to remove rust. However, you do want to clean these with soapy water and a soft cloth to remove grime buildup. Make sure you unhook the antenna from the coaxial cable before this is done. Once everything is hooked up you’ll probably need to run a quick SWR check for a proper tuning.

The Microphone

A reason for gritty transmissions may not be the radio. It could be the accumulated dirt on the base or around the connection point. Follow procedures used for the radio to clean the microphone and connectors. Unplug everything before you do.

The Controls

Check all the controls for proper use. If they feel sluggish, use a soft swab or compressed air to clean dirt from between the transceiver and controls. If still not working, look into replacing the knob.

Learn the parts you need for your CB radio and how to maintain them. Speak to a CB Radio Supply specialist to get the necessary information.